The Economic Times in an article stated an interesting fact: Newly sworn-in President Ram Nath Kovind, as the head of government, has now become the ceremonial owner of 51 percent of all central government PSUs worth lakh of crores.

13:17 (IST)

Very inspiring address by Ram Nath Kovindji: Narendra Modi

Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji on taking oath as the President of India. @RashtrapatiBhvn

The elaborate ceremony for change of guard in India's highest Constitutional office started with a gentle knock on the door of President-elect Ram Nath Kovind's Akbar Road residence.

It was Military Secretary to the President, Major General Anil Khosla, inviting 71-year-old Kovind and his wife Savita to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Pranab Mukherjee was waiting for them in the study.

The two leaders then went to the grand Rashtrapai Bhavan forecourt where they were escorted to the saluting dais.

Mukherjee took the last salute of the President's Bodyguard (PBG) with President-elect Kovind standing to his left.

He and his successor then drove down Raisina Hill to the Central Hall of the Parliament in a black limousine. Escorting them was grand equestrian procession by the PBG, dressed in white ceremonial uniforms and blue turbans with gold ornamental work.

The road from Rashtrapati Bhavan to Parliament was lined with jawans of the armed forces. — PTI

"I am accepting this position with all humility and I am grateful for this responsibility," he further said. "I am aware that I'm carrying forward the legacy of great leaders like Dr Rajendra Prasad," he added.

12:27 (IST)

Development needs to reach the most backward communities: Kovind

"The teachers who inspiring youth are nation-builders. Several women who are looking after their families and making their children proud citizens this country are nation-builders," said Kovind as he said that we need to be proud of all occupations in India.

"It will only be right that India strives for peace and equality in the world," he further said.

"We have achieved a lot by being one nation, But we need to strive for more and for better," Kovind said.

"We constantly need to think about whether development in the country reaches the person stand last in a line or in the most backward community," he said.

The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjoured till 3.00 PM today to allow members and ministers participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Ramnath Kovind as the 14th President of India.

The House was scheduled to run for a few minutes but as noisy protests mounted by opposition members over cow vigilantes and lynching erupted, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan decided to adjourn the proceedings just when the first question was being taken up in the Question Hour. — PTI

Ram Nath Kovind's election as the President of India will be a red letter day for higher education in the country. His social background will give a further thrust to the plebian ethos in the management of higher education. After formal swearing-in, as a Visitor of all central universities, he will have a big 'knowledge constituency' to serve in the country.

A nation is ultimately known by its 'soft power', whose foundation depends on the 'forward linkage' of education, where the President of India will be a presiding deity. In view of President-elect Kovind’s contribution in the realm of higher education in Bihar where he was the governor, he is expected to act as a strong catalytic agent in triggering an educational renaissance in the country.

In his last address to the nation as the President, Pranab Mukherjee made an impassioned case for freeing public discourse from all kinds of violence. Mukherjee said the capacity for compassion and empathy is the "true foundation" of India's civilisation.

After the ceremony ends, the new president will leave for Rashtrapati Bhavan where an inter-services guard of honour will be given to him in its forecourt. Mukherjee will leave for his new address, 10 Rajaji Marg.

Earlier in the day, Kovind will visit Rajghat to pay his respect to Mahatma Gandhi and then go to Rashtrapati Bhavan where he will be received by Mukherjee and then both will proceed to Parliament.

A former Bihar governor, Kovind received 2930 votes with a value of 7,02,044, election Returning Officer Anoop Mishra had said. Kumar got 1844 votes with a value of 3,67,314.

The winning margin was not as big as forecast by the BJP, which had projected a 70 percent vote for Kovind. Outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee had received votes valued at 7,13,763.

"I never aspired to be the president. My win is a message to those discharging their duties with integrity. My election as the President is an evidence of the greatness of Indian democracy," Kovind had told the media after his victory was announced.

Kovind's victory is partly due to the BJP's massive victory in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections earlier this year. This gave the party a big boost in the electoral college numbers, according to PTI.

Even after the Uttar Pradesh victory, the BJP-led NDA was slightly short of majority. However, it was able to garner support of several non-NDA parties such as TRS in Telangana, AIADMK factions and DMK in Tamil Nadu, the JD(U) in Bihar, and BJD in Odisha, after appointing a non-controversial Dalit leader in a political masterstroke.

The party's decision to field a Dalit candidate is also being seen as part of its outreach to woo the backward communities, which several opposition parties found difficult to oppose, given the political sensitivites. This forced the opposition to follow suit and put up Kumar, a diplomat- turned-politician, in a Dalit vs Dalit fight.